Therefore he has all power and reliability to accomplish his threats and fulfill his promises. He is "the beginning of God's creation," then, in the sense of John 1:3, "All that was made." So, the one who speaks to us in this letter is God the Son, the source of all God's creation, including us.
The status of Jesus Christ is therefore much greater than a created angel, for he is to be worshiped. The reason is that in Revelation 5:13-14 Christ is worshiped by every creature, but in 19:10 John's attempt to worship an angel is strictly forbidden only God is to be worshiped. But the phrase can mean "that from which creation begins" just as easily as it can mean "the beginning part of creation." I don't think John meant here that Jesus is part of creation. The Jehovah's Witnesses today, like the Arians in the fourth century, would take the next phrase in verse 14, where Jesus is called "the beginning of God's creation," to mean that Christ is not eternal with God the Father, but was the first and greatest creature that God made. It is the Word of God, with all his firmness and truth and reliability behind it. So the next phrase defines it: "the faithful and true witness." So this letter is not to be taken lightly. "Amen" is simply a transliteration of a Hebrew word that means firm or true or faithful. When he says that he is the "Amen," he means that he is reliable he is God's confirmation, God's "yes" to all divine promises (2 Corinthians 1:20). It is fitting that he identifies himself as one who has the credibility and power to say such things. He is going to deliver an awful threat and an incomparable promise. Let's look at it together to prepare ourselves for the week ahead.įirst, verse 14: "And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation." In this letter Jesus is going to bear witness against the Laodiceans. Anyone who thinks that we have no need to begin the year with a week of fasting and praying should read and reread this letter from Christ to Laodicea and to Bethlehem. These are solemn words of counsel and love to a church that is content with itself, and feels need of nothing. It's a message that every church needs to hear, especially at the beginning of a week of concerted prayer. It was given to John in a vision and had the purpose of saving the church from lukewarmness and possible destruction.
Revelation 3:14–22 is a letter from Jesus to the church at Laodicea in Asia Minor. Behold, I stand at the door and knock if any one hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me." Those whom I love, I reprove and chasten so be zealous and repent. Therefore I counsel you to buy from me gold refined by fire, that you may be rich, and white garments to clothe you and to keep the shame of your nakedness from being seen, and salve to anoint your eyes, that you may see. For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing not knowing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.
Would that you were cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold not hot, I will spew you out of my mouth. I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. And to the angel of the church of Laodicea write: "The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation.
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